VTV Gen1 R5.1 Firmware Upgrade

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sansom

421 posts

Ultimate Geek

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One NZ

#265798 11-Feb-2020 17:20

We have just released a significant upgrade for Vodafone TV Gen1 users. This will upgrade all Gen1 users from R3.1 to R5.1 so that Gen1 is now on a common firmware to the Gen2 box. You can either wait for the upgrade overnight or select "Check for Updates" via the settings menu.

Details here: https://www.vodafone.co.nz/tv/vodafone-tv/software-update-r5-1/

In summary, this release brings a number of benefits including:

1. The Amazon Prime Video app

2. A new look home screen (4 apps instead of 3) and TV Guide filtering options

3. Dolby 5.1 on channels that support D5.1

4. The full Play Stuff app with the latest local and international news and sport, food, home and garden inspiration, or short docos and fitness videos

5. A large number of performance improvements and generally smoother and faster UI

Tell us what you think!

Hamish

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644 posts

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#2416299 11-Feb-2020 17:25

Mine's updated and working fine!

l43a2

1779 posts

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#2416360 11-Feb-2020 18:26

Was hoping to see The Cheese in this update! Hopefully it is coming soon!

Baldrick

34 posts

Geek

#2416370 11-Feb-2020 19:00

I have completed the update and now have it working ok.

The only snag I encountered was because I had the Vodafone TV plugged into a HDMI switch.

Previously under the old firmware there was enough power going to the switch (from the Vodafone TV) to keep the switch working but now after the update I had to have something else on (eg the computer) to give enough power to the switch for it to work.

I have ended up switching the PS4 and Vodafone TV around to get everything working.

sansom

421 posts

Ultimate Geek

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One NZ

#2416373 11-Feb-2020 19:09

Baldrick:

I have completed the update and now have it working ok.

The only snag I encountered was because I had the Vodafone TV plugged into a HDMI switch.

Previously under the old firmware there was enough power going to the switch (from the Vodafone TV) to keep the switch working but now after the update I had to have something else on (eg the computer) to give enough power to the switch for it to work.

I have ended up switching the PS4 and Vodafone TV around to get everything working.

Hi @Baldrick, that's unexpected, thanks for the feedback. It should be noted, however, that HDMI isn't specified to supply significant power to 3rd party devices (unlike USB).

Hamish

sqishy

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2416443 11-Feb-2020 21:20

I think its fixed the voice delay issue to the older version. I.e. lips are now in time with voice so thumbs ups

Yabanize

2350 posts

Uber Geek

#2416484 11-Feb-2020 23:13

Was pleasantly surprised to arrive home and see the update waiting,

It generally does feel smoother, my father says the new guide is easier for him to read.

I noticed the catch up arrow thing is gone now, but that's okay because options to restart etc show when you press "OK" while watching. It makes a bit more sense.

I'm noticing a bit more of a delay changing channels, the screen stays black with audio only for a couple of seconds until the picture kicks in.

I would like it if the "On Demand" section only showed from channels you were subscribed to (based on the "unsubscribed channels" option in settings that the guide uses), Rocketman keeps appearing but when you press it there's just a 'Subscribe' button. It doesn't even say what channel it's on. ATM I find this section not useful.

Good work team!

EDIT: Found a bit of a bug it seems: Our unit was on "Instant On" mode, I tried to change it back to "Power Saving" mode, but when ever you exit the menu it goes back to "Instant On" mode

sub

358 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2416504 12-Feb-2020 07:21

I updated both of our devices yesterday. Both initially appeared to go fine, but I've since discover one of two has a problem.

The bedroom device is connected to a Panasonic plasma. When I initially turn this device and TV on, the audio is fine, but just a black screen. I need to switch the tv to another HDMI input (AppleTV), then back, before I'll get any picture. I've repeated it numerous times - same behaviour every time. (would soon get really annoying)

This TV is a little slower to start when initially powered on (when compared to my main LG OLED TV). My guess is that the VTV isn't getting the HDMI handshake from the TV in time (for the list of supported resolutions, or whatever it's looking for), and results in no image. When I change AV inputs and back, the HDMI connection is renegotiated, and things start working.

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sansom

421 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

One NZ

#2416510 12-Feb-2020 08:08

Yabanize:

Was pleasantly surprised to arrive home and see the update waiting,

It generally does feel smoother, my father says the new guide is easier for him to read.

I noticed the catch up arrow thing is gone now, but that's okay because options to restart etc show when you press "OK" while watching. It makes a bit more sense.

I'm noticing a bit more of a delay changing channels, the screen stays black with audio only for a couple of seconds until the picture kicks in.

I would like it if the "On Demand" section only showed from channels you were subscribed to (based on the "unsubscribed channels" option in settings that the guide uses), Rocketman keeps appearing but when you press it there's just a 'Subscribe' button. It doesn't even say what channel it's on. ATM I find this section not useful.

Good work team!

EDIT: Found a bit of a bug it seems: Our unit was on "Instant On" mode, I tried to change it back to "Power Saving" mode, but when ever you exit the menu it goes back to "Instant On" mode

Thanks for the feedback @Yabanize, we'll look into that Instant on issue.

Hamish

sansom

421 posts

Ultimate Geek

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One NZ

#2416511 12-Feb-2020 08:10

sub:

I updated both of our devices yesterday. Both initially appeared to go fine, but I've since discover one of two has a problem.

The bedroom device is connected to a Panasonic plasma. When I initially turn this device and TV on, the audio is fine, but just a black screen. I need to switch the tv to another HDMI input (AppleTV), then back, before I'll get any picture. I've repeated it numerous times - same behaviour every time. (would soon get really annoying)

This TV is a little slower to start when initially powered on (when compared to my main LG OLED TV). My guess is that the VTV isn't getting the HDMI handshake from the TV in time (for the list of supported resolutions, or whatever it's looking for), and results in no image. When I change AV inputs and back, the HDMI connection is renegotiated, and things start working.

Thanks @sub, we'll have a look into that issue with the Panasonic as that shouldn't be happening (I have a Panasonic and don't have any issues).

Hamish

dbatten

19 posts

Geek

#2416512 12-Feb-2020 08:11

Greetings

The upgrade went perfectly when initiated from the update menu - it removes all the variables. It pays to check all the settings after as the default had changed. Couldn't get the input vol. to work

The comment re the powered HDMI is important - I have a splitter and it needed rebooting as well.

The Menu screen is vastly improved with the Apps cascading.

BUT where is the FWD/REV scrubber? the new interface is better. but........

Now we just need to get Sky / VFTV international to negotiate 3 day rewind / record function with all programming rights purchases.The claim that 90 % of programs are available might be correct but is certainly skewed if you want to watch / record BBC / BBC earth / History / Prime etc. which (in the case of the BBC with their Iplayer) have this covered. VTF with its worldwide reach should be 1st off the blocks with all 3rd party apps

Radio NZ / RNZ Concert are still missing but advertise Vodafone as a supplier

thanks db

PottsyNZ

336 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2416534 12-Feb-2020 09:02

Updated yesterday:

Yay Prime!

It appears that this has fixed the local station issue on IheartRadio, I am listening to Mix right now. Constant stuttering on Iheart is gone too.

Feels a lot snappier for sure.

No issues with connections, optical to soundbar still all good.

Yabanize

2350 posts

Uber Geek

#2416581 12-Feb-2020 10:23

dbatten:

Radio NZ / RNZ Concert are still missing but advertise Vodafone as a supplier

thanks db

RNZ National and Concert are available in the IHeartRadio app ✌️

Having dedicated radio channels would be a bit backwards for an internet / app-based device

sansom

421 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

One NZ

#2416611 12-Feb-2020 11:02

dbatten:

Greetings

The upgrade went perfectly when initiated from the update menu - it removes all the variables. It pays to check all the settings after as the default had changed. Couldn't get the input vol. to work

The comment re the powered HDMI is important - I have a splitter and it needed rebooting as well.

The Menu screen is vastly improved with the Apps cascading.

BUT where is the FWD/REV scrubber? the new interface is better. but........

Now we just need to get Sky / VFTV international to negotiate 3 day rewind / record function with all programming rights purchases.The claim that 90 % of programs are available might be correct but is certainly skewed if you want to watch / record BBC / BBC earth / History / Prime etc. which (in the case of the BBC with their Iplayer) have this covered. VTF with its worldwide reach should be 1st off the blocks with all 3rd party apps

Radio NZ / RNZ Concert are still missing but advertise Vodafone as a supplier

thanks db

Thanks for the feedback @dbatten. We have been testing the new visual FFWD/RWD scrubbing but this has revealed a number of issues that we've put back to the developers to fix before we can release this. Indications are that the fix will be coming SOON - but we can't promise anything yet until we receive and validate the fix....

Hamish

sub

358 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2416680 12-Feb-2020 12:46

sansom:

sub:

I updated both of our devices yesterday. Both initially appeared to go fine, but I've since discover one of two has a problem.

The bedroom device is connected to a Panasonic plasma. When I initially turn this device and TV on, the audio is fine, but just a black screen. I need to switch the tv to another HDMI input (AppleTV), then back, before I'll get any picture. I've repeated it numerous times - same behaviour every time. (would soon get really annoying)

This TV is a little slower to start when initially powered on (when compared to my main LG OLED TV). My guess is that the VTV isn't getting the HDMI handshake from the TV in time (for the list of supported resolutions, or whatever it's looking for), and results in no image. When I change AV inputs and back, the HDMI connection is renegotiated, and things start working.

Thanks @sub, we'll have a look into that issue with the Panasonic as that shouldn't be happening (I have a Panasonic and don't have any issues).

Is there any way to get the box back to the previous firmware, so I can get video without having to change inputs?

Smithy47

231 posts

Master Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2416689 12-Feb-2020 13:12

sub:

sansom:

sub:

I updated both of our devices yesterday. Both initially appeared to go fine, but I've since discover one of two has a problem.

The bedroom device is connected to a Panasonic plasma. When I initially turn this device and TV on, the audio is fine, but just a black screen. I need to switch the tv to another HDMI input (AppleTV), then back, before I'll get any picture. I've repeated it numerous times - same behaviour every time. (would soon get really annoying)

This TV is a little slower to start when initially powered on (when compared to my main LG OLED TV). My guess is that the VTV isn't getting the HDMI handshake from the TV in time (for the list of supported resolutions, or whatever it's looking for), and results in no image. When I change AV inputs and back, the HDMI connection is renegotiated, and things start working.

Thanks @sub, we'll have a look into that issue with the Panasonic as that shouldn't be happening (I have a Panasonic and don't have any issues).

Is there any way to get the box back to the previous firmware, so I can get video without having to change inputs?

Try turning the power off at the wall for the VTV for 30 seconds and then let it boot up. Had the same problem, did this and it fixed it. Worth a try.

Hope it helps.

Smithy

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